Health Desk

The main reason most people complain about cell sites near their homes is because they’re worried that they will cause health problems.

There are a lot cases all over the country where people want to stop cell phone sites from being built, but usually the cell phone companies win, because federal law doesn’t allow rejection due to health risks. According to the government, “no studies have shown conclusive evidence that radio-frequency emissions, a form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), from cell towers are harmful.”

Comfortingly, the American Cancer Society also says there’s minimal risk. This is what they say:

Public exposure to radio waves from cellular phone antennas is slight for several reasons. The power levels are relatively low, the antennas are mounted at high above ground level, and the signals are transmitted intermittently, rather than constantly.

They’ve done animal studies, and no incidences of cancer arise because of cell tower exposure. Since there are going to be more cell towers built, with all the cell phones people use, this is good news.

Getting a new spa tub was my inspiration for an aromatic trip to Bath & Body Works. After splurging on lots of yummie bath goodies, I rushed home and proceeded to enjoy the most relaxing bubble bath I’ve taken in years. It was worth every penny of my shopping spree!

While filling the tub with warm water and lush bubbles from Simply Divine Cherry Pie Body Wash, Bubble Bath and Shampoo, I attached The Sweetest, Softest Bath Pillow on Earth to the back of the tub. After lighting the Window Candy Apple candle – a fabulous blend of crisp apple, sweet orange and pineapple mingling with cinnamon spice, I didn’t know whether to eat it or breathe it.

A glass of Riesling completed my pre-bath necessities, and I stepped into the bubble, lying back on my sweet, soft bath pillow to sip the crisp, fruity white wine, and inhale the combined heady aroma of cherry pie, apples, oranges and cinnamon. I let my mind float away…

Too soon the water cooled and it was time to end my period of bliss. After drying off with a big fluffy towel, I wrapped myself in The Sweetest, Softest Robe on Earth and slipped on the Sweetest, Softest Sleep Socks on Earth. Engulfed in this new luxury, I brushed out my hair using my new Fekkai Classic Brush – the natural bristles stimulated my scalp and felt wonderful. Pricey, but worth it! After slathering on Patricia Wexler M.D.’s award winning Intensive Night Reversal & Repair Cream it was all I could manage to toddle off to bed for the deepest, most restful sleep I’ve had in ages.

I can’t wait to do it all over again!

A low-carbohydrate diet not only helps you lose weight, it is often used to help control blood sugar, blood pressure, and lower cholesterol. Atkins, South Beach, and Zone are all popular low-carb diets.

Experts say the high carbohydrates in typical modern diets is unhealthy, and has lead to increasing problems with diabetes and obesity, as well as higher insulin levels which can lead to insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

When you reduce carbohydrates, the tendency is to eat larger portions of protein and fat. You can do this in a sensible manner by replacing the carbs with healthful sources of protein and limited amounts of fat.

Popular low-carb diets range from almost zero carbs to about 35% (about 175 grams per day), but to stay within a healthy range you should have about 130 grams of carbs per day, or 26% of a standard diet of 2,000 calories.

Read nutrition labels to help keep count of your daily carbs. Choose healthy carbohydrate sources that are high in fiber such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. People with diabetes or insulin resistance may find that choosing carbohydrate foods with a low glycemic index works best for them.

Most of your calories should come from lean meats, fish, beans, low-fat dairy products, and unsaturated, non-hydrogenated oils that are free of trans-fats. Meat that has been preserved with nitrites should be avoided.

Below are some food suggestions to incorporate into a healthful low-carbohydrate diet.

Protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and beans):

• Lean chicken and turkey
• Egg whites
• Seafood and fish
• Dried beans and peas
• Soy foods
• Nuts and seeds

Dairy products and dairy substitutes:

• Nonfat milk and milk products
• Unsweetened nonfat yogurt
• Soy beverages

Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta:

• Whole wheat and whole grain breads
• Breads containing whole, intact grains and seeds (millet, flaxseed, etc)
• Whole wheat pasta and noodles
• Brown rice, basmati rice
• Barley, buckwheat
• Whole grain cereals, muesli
• Whole wheat pita, chapatis
• Oatmeal

Fats and oils:

• Non-hydrogenated olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil
• Non-hydrogenated corn oil, flaxseed oil, hemp oil, pumpkin seed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil